When Tang Lan regained his vision,
he found himself in a stone pavilion within an ancient temple deep in the mountains.
Before him sat a somewhat illusory old man, enjoying the scenery while pouring himself a drink.
Amid the surrounding mountains and streams, the varied cries of birds and beasts could faintly be heard.
Tang Lan had thought it was an illusion, yet the old man strangely raised his head and gave him a meaningful smile.
Lingling was still outside and had not entered this strange space with Tang Lan.
From this, Tang Lan could determine that only those who touched the painting would enter this place—the world within the painting.
"You can see me?"
Tang Lan looked at the old man before him and asked tentatively.
"No, I cannot!"
"But I can sense your presence, as well as the thoughts you wish to convey!"
The illusory old man shook his head and explained with a smile.
The old man never raised his head to look at Tang Lan. Instead, he lifted his teacup and gazed at the distant sea of clouds and mountains.
The sensation gave Tang Lan a feeling of disconnect, as though the two of them existed in different times and spaces.
Yet they could communicate through some special medium.
"Where is this?"
Tang Lan asked again.
"The Hundred Yue Landscape Map!"
"And I am the artifact spirit of the Hundred Yue Landscape Map."
"I never expected that, after so long, I would truly wait for someone fated to arrive."
At that moment, the old man finally raised his head and gave Tang Lan a faint smile.
Yet his gaze held no focus whatsoever, for he had already said that he could not see Tang Lan.
"Then how can I make you see me?"
"Or rather, why